Method for producing 5-nitro-2-furfuryl acetate

Abstract

Furfuryl acetate is reacted at 0°-20° C with a mixture containing strong nitric acid and less than 7 mole, preferably less than 5 mole, acetic anhydride per 1 mole furfuryl acetate, in order to produce an intermediate of nitration, whereafter water is added and the aqueous solution is neutralized to a pH of 4.7-6.5 and finally the mixture is heated to 40°-60° C.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved method for the production of 5-nitro-2-furfuryl acetate, wherein furfuryl acetate is caused to react with a mixture containing concentrated nitric acid and less than 7 mole of acetic anhydride per 1 mole furfuryl acetate, in order to produce an intermediate of nitration, whereafter water is added and the aqueous solution is neutralized, then the mixture is heated to 40°-60° C in order to decompose the intermediate of nitration, the improvement comprising: reacting furfuryl acetate with the mixture consisting of nitric acid having a concentration of 60-70% in the proportion of 1-2 mole per mole of furfuryl acetate and acetic anhydride at 0°-20° C and neutralizing the aqueous solution to a pH of 4.7-6.5 . 
     
     
       2. The improved method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is heated for 15-120 min. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the temperature is about 10° C in the reaction of furfuryl acetate with the mixture of nitric acid and acetic anhydride. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous solution is neutralized to a pH of 4.7 - 5.5. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 1 wheren furfuryl acetate reacts with a mixture containing nitric acid and less than 5 moles of acetic anhydride per one mole of furfuryl acetate.